When I interact with the public in either my professional or personal life, I seldom consider my blindness to be a barrier to an effective conversation, but I am quickly reminded by those with whom I am speaking that it can be. Their discomfort is palpable, their curiosity obvious. The specific nature of our conversation becomes secondary to what is really on their minds: How do I address a person who is blind? Can I ask about it? What should I say? Most people seem to be asking me to put them at ease before we can proceed with a discussion. My experience has been that most people want to do the right thing, want to say the proper words, but they simply do not know what the "right thing" is. This has also proved true with other speaking professionals. I am frequently consulted on the appropriate language that should be used when presenting to diverse audiences.

For speakers who give presentations in either the corporate or community setting, below is a short tip list on the language of awareness that you can use to make your talks more sensitive, accurate and inclusive.

Put the individual before the disability. For example, say